ASSISTANT headteacher at Kingsmead School, Wiveliscombe, Morag Colley, who has had a ‘transformational’ impact on youngsters she has worked with, has won a top teaching award.

‘Mo’ won a Silver Teaching Award in the Excellence in Special Needs Education category in the Pearson National Teaching Awards.

She was one of just 68 Silver award winners across the country, selected from thousands of nominations, to be recognised on ‘Thank A Teacher Day’ last week.

Headteacher Mark Williams presented Mo with the prestigious Pearson Silver Teaching Award trophy during a whole-school assembly.

Mo has been shortlisted to win one of just 13 Gold Awards at the UK’s ‘Oscars for Teachers’. The glittering event is held at the London Roundhouse on October 20 and will be broadcast on BBC2 the following week as ‘Britain’s Classroom Heroes’.

She will also be going to the Houses of Parliament on July 11 for a winner’s reception.

Mo has worked with children with additional needs in a range of settings for more than 25 years.

A spokesperson said: “Mo’s passion for supporting all children to achieve their very best is evident to everyone who has had the pleasure of working with her.

“The children, young people and families who have benefited from her care and support have described her impact on their lives as ‘transformational’.”

The Pearson National Teaching Awards is an annual celebration of exceptional teachers, founded in 1998 by Lord Puttnam to recognise the life-changing impact an inspirational teacher can have on the lives of the young people they teach.